sense of unpredictability

USAGE SUMMARY

"sense of unpredictability" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that is unpredictable or uncertain. For example, "The COVID-19 pandemic has created a sense of unpredictability about the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

That sense of unpredictability extends particularly to European policy.

The New York Times

One of Mr. Techine's skills is his ability to sustain a sense of unpredictability without sacrificing coherence.

The New York Times

The sense of unpredictability deepened today with reports that Islamic leaders had urged their followers to unite against the West, said Mr. Morrison at Financial Spreads.

The New York Times

The six parking levels, which hold three hundred cars, are uneven in height, ranging from eight feet, which is fairly standard, to a monumental thirty-four feet, lending the building a sense of unpredictability and drama.

The New Yorker

Twisting expectations like this "isn't necessarily going to create the same edge-of-seat horror experience you get in a movie theater," Mr. Carver added, but it does allow for a sense of unpredictability.

The New York Times - Arts

All of that has heightened the sense of unpredictability in a race that is the most competitive contest the Bronx has seen for the borough presidency in recent years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

There is always a sense of exciting unpredictability to Ferrell that is generally lacking in most comedians today.

The Guardian - Film

All great acting carries with it a sense of danger and unpredictability: something famously unleashed in this production when Gambon picked up a table and hurled it violently at a wall.

The Guardian

During the news conference announcing the moves, Ohlmeyer talked about wanting to bring "a sense of danger" and "unpredictability" back to the program, the same elements that would soon make reality TV the new craze.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is part of a wider cultural shift outside of just music festivals, with film events like Secret Cinema and theatre production companies like Punchdrunk offering a sense of exploration and unpredictability.

Vice

This is part of a wider cultural shift outside of just music festivals, with film events like Secret Cinema and theater production companies like Punchdrunk offering a sense of exploration and unpredictability".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "sense of unpredictability" with specific domains to add clarity. For example, "sense of unpredictability in the market" or "sense of unpredictability in personal relationships" provides context and strengthens the statement.

Common error

While "sense of unpredictability" is suitable for conveying subjective feelings and general perceptions, refrain from using it in contexts requiring precise statistical analysis or quantifiable risk assessments. In such cases, more technical terms like "variance", "standard deviation", or "confidence intervals" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of unpredictability" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a general awareness or feeling regarding the lack of predictability in a given situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a valid and useful expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of unpredictability" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes an awareness or feeling related to the inability to predict future outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it conveys a subjective perception of uncertainty. While suitable for general descriptions, it should be used cautiously in highly technical contexts requiring precise statistical analysis. Alternatives like "feeling of uncertainty" or "atmosphere of instability" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to use the phrase to communicate emotional responses and general perceptions rather than quantifiable measures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of uncertainty

Replaces "unpredictability" with the more general term "uncertainty", focusing on the emotional experience.

atmosphere of instability

Shifts the focus to the surrounding environment rather than a personal sensation, using "instability" to convey a lack of predictability.

awareness of risk

Highlights the potential negative consequences implied by unpredictability, introducing the concept of "risk".

perception of volatility

Uses "volatility" to emphasize the rapid and significant changes associated with unpredictability.

apprehension about the unknown

Focuses on the emotional response to unpredictability, specifically fear of what might happen.

recognition of changeability

Emphasizes the characteristic of being subject to change, which implies unpredictability.

realization of inconstancy

Highlights the lack of stability or permanence, suggesting a constantly shifting situation.

understanding of the random nature

Focuses on the lack of a discernible pattern, suggesting events occur by chance.

impression of haphazardness

Uses a more informal term to describe a lack of order or planning, implying unpredictability.

expectation of surprise

Shifts the focus to anticipating unexpected events, highlighting the element of surprise inherent in unpredictability.

FAQs

How can I express the same idea as "sense of unpredictability" using different words?

You can use phrases like "feeling of uncertainty", "atmosphere of instability", or "awareness of risk", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sense of unpredictability" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "sense of unpredictability" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially when describing subjective perceptions or broad trends. However, in technical contexts, more precise terminology might be preferred.

What's the difference between "sense of unpredictability" and "act of unpredictability"?

"Sense of unpredictability" refers to a feeling or awareness that something is unpredictable, whereas "act of unpredictability" refers to a specific action that is itself unpredictable or unexpected.

How to use "sense of unpredictability" in a sentence?

You might say, "The recent economic downturn has created a "sense of unpredictability" among investors" or "The experimental nature of the project gave the team a "sense of unpredictability" that they found both exciting and challenging."